I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info online regarding this. I want to connect my Audigy 2 ZS to an external DAC via it's digital output. Question is, will I lose hardware acceleration and EAX in doing so? Or is EAX simply passed through the digital out, bypassing the DAC on the card?
EAX works fine when using the digital (SPDIF) out on SBLive and Audigy cards.
I have an Audigy 2 connected to a set of Cambridge SoundWorks Digital Speakers (2.1 system) via coaxial SPDIF cable, and there are no issues with EAX whatsoever.
Hey that's great. I appreciate the response, Joseph. What about volume levels in your OS? I'm using Windows XP - so for optimal sound quality, would the windows volume setting need to be 100% for digital output? I've read that there's clipping or distortion that can occur at higher Windows volume levels so I currently have my Windows volume down a few notches from max.
Rodney Betters wrote on 2024-03-07, 14:27:Hey that's great. I appreciate the response, Joseph. What about volume levels in your OS? I'm using Windows XP - so for optimal sound quality, would the windows volume setting need to be 100% for digital output? I've read that there's clipping or distortion that can occur at higher Windows volume levels so I currently have my Windows volume down a few notches from max.
There was recently a discussion about that here: SPDIF output level
I usually keep my volume sliders at max when using SPDIF, but that's just out of habit. Haven't noticed any distortions so far.
What kind of miniplug connector are you connecting to your soundcard? The manual contains contradictory info. On one page is says to use a 3.5mm mono minijack to RCA for the digital out, while a later page says to use a "4-pole" 3.5mm mini to RCA. I'm assuming I need to use a mono minijack connection and that the 4-pole would be used for digital surround sound speakers.
Rodney Betters wrote on 2024-03-07, 15:35:What kind of miniplug connector are you connecting to your soundcard? The manual contains contradictory info. On one page is says to use a 3.5mm mono minijack to RCA for the digital out, while a later page says to use a "4-pole" 3.5mm mini to RCA. I'm assuming I need to use a mono minijack connection and that the 4-pole would be used for digital surround sound speakers.
I use a simple 3.5mm to RCA mono adapter. Works great for stereo sound.
If you're planning on using a digital connection to a digital 5.1 speaker setup, I think you may need a different adapter. Don't have either of those, but I remember seeing something like a mini-din plug in the manuals.
Wonderful. Thanks again, Joseph. I decided to order a mono 3.5mm to RCA cable. Should have everything up and running next week.
